Where is Recently Deleted Photos on Mac?
Losing photos can be a distressing experience, especially when they hold sentimental value. If you have recently deleted photos on your Mac and are wondering where they have gone, you’re not alone. Many Mac users find themselves in this situation and are eager to recover their deleted photos. In this article, we will guide you through the process of finding recently deleted photos on your Mac and provide some tips on how to prevent such incidents in the future.
Understanding the Recently Deleted Folder
When you delete a photo on your Mac, it is initially moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder, which is a temporary storage location for deleted files. This folder is designed to give you a chance to recover any deleted items before they are permanently deleted from your Mac. The “Recently Deleted” folder is located in the same directory as your main Photos library.
Locating the Recently Deleted Folder
To find the “Recently Deleted” folder on your Mac, follow these simple steps:
1. Open the Finder on your Mac.
2. In the sidebar, click on “Photos” to expand the category.
3. Scroll down and click on “Recently Deleted.”
Once you have accessed the “Recently Deleted” folder, you will see a list of all the photos you have deleted recently. From here, you can restore any of the photos to their original location or permanently delete them.
Restoring Deleted Photos
To restore a deleted photo from the “Recently Deleted” folder, follow these steps:
1. Open the “Recently Deleted” folder as described above.
2. Select the photo you want to restore.
3. Right-click on the photo and choose “Move to” > “Photos Library.”
4. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the photo back into your Photos library.
After restoring the photo, it will be placed back in its original location within the Photos library.
Permanently Deleting Photos
If you are certain that you no longer need the deleted photos and want to free up space on your Mac, you can permanently delete them from the “Recently Deleted” folder. Here’s how:
1. Open the “Recently Deleted” folder.
2. Select the photos you want to delete permanently.
3. Right-click on the selected photos and choose “Delete Immediately.”
4. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the photos to the trash icon on your dock.
Preventing Future Loss of Photos
To avoid losing important photos in the future, consider the following tips:
1. Regularly back up your photos to an external drive or cloud storage service.
2. Use the “Smart Previews” feature in Photos to save space while still having access to your photos.
3. Keep an eye on your storage space and delete unnecessary files to prevent the Mac from running out of space.
4. Use the “Trash” and “Recently Deleted” folders as a safety net, but remember to regularly clear them to free up space.
In conclusion, finding recently deleted photos on your Mac is a straightforward process, thanks to the “Recently Deleted” folder. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily recover your deleted photos or permanently delete them if needed. Always remember to back up your important files and stay organized to prevent future data loss.
